The vital role of the modern Royal Navy will be demonstrated to the people of Ealing when a dynamic multi-media roadshow comes to the Town Hall on September 28 at 6pm.

Using the latest technology to take the audience inside warships, submarines and aircraft, the Royal Navy Presentation Team (RNPT) describes the wide spectrum of activity that the Service undertakes.

“Although everyone in the UK has heard of the Royal Navy, sometimes their understanding of what we do and why we do it can be less clear,” said Commander Jason Scott, leader of the RNPT and one of its presenters.

“On any day of the year, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will typically be involved in providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief, fighting terrorists, undertaking peacekeeping operations and anti-drugs patrols and protecting UK citizens at home and abroad.

“The presentation aims to convey what the Navy does on a day-to-day basis and explain how taxpayers’ money is spent and what return the public can expect from its investment.”

Some of the other latest Royal Navy developments include:

• The expected delivery in 2009 of HMS Astute to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland – the first of the Royal Navy’s new attack submarines.
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines’ continued contribution in Afghanistan, as part of an international effort backed by the UN to support the democratically elected Afghan Government
• The acceptance of HMS Daring into the Royal Navy after sea trials – the first of the new Type 45 destroyers, the world’s most advanced warships.

Commander Scott added: “The UK is the sixth largest trading nation in the world, moving a massive 95% of its exports by sea. And contrary to popular belief, the UK merchant shipping is increasing – its fleet is the second largest in Europe after Greece, and is the twelfth largest in the world. So the role of the Royal Navy is as crucial as ever.”

The presentation also provides a platform for the Navy’s front-line men and women to talk directly to people, giving sailors and marines a chance to tell their stories of life in the Service. It will be followed by a lively question and answer session in which the team promise to tackle the audience’s questions.